Planning began in May for the annual National Night Out event with the hopes of bringing the community together Aug. 7 and encouraging stronger relationships with each other and the Stow Police Department. 

This is the sixth year for the event and Stow Youth Services Director Kathy Christ said the event keeps growing. 

In 2011, about 500 people came to eat snacks, meet their neighbors and fire and police officers and take a look at some of the emergency vehicles. 

And just like the last five years, the event this year will have hot dogs, chips, and cookies — donated by Applebee's. The Stow Neighborhood Watch group volunteered to serve food to more than 500 residents.

Plus, a bounce house and slide will be available for the little ones. On display will be a Stow Fire Truck, a Stow Police Cruiser, the Stow D.A.R.E vehicle, the Summit County Metro SWAT vehicle, 2 vehicles from the Ohio National Guard and more. 

While the event is always a lot of fun, the goal is important and crucial to having a strong community. 

"The goals of National Night Out are to get neighbors together to meet each other and to build relationships with the neighborhoods and the members of the Stow Police Department. Attendees will learn what the police department has to offer," said Christ. 

Although a lot of the activities are geared toward a younger crowd, Christ said anyone and everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to attend.

The event is nationally sponsored by Target and about 15 local employees will be volunteering Aug. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

"They will be raffling off family-oriented prizes and providing chips, cookies and drinks," said Christ. "They will also be doing face painting."

Click here for more event information.